Local Issues

His Excellency Mr. Imran Khan Prime Minister of Pakistan 14th January 2021 Dear Prime Minister, Assalamu Alaikum! RE: FORCED CREMATION OF COVID-19 VICTIMS IN SRI LANKA We, the undersigned Sri Lankan Muslim organisations in the UK, USA, Europe, Canada and Australia understand that your excellency is due to visit our motherland, Sri Lanka in the near future. Whilst appreciating your …

Scientific approach to the cremation of remains that die of COVID-19 should be adopted while respecting the beliefs of the Muslim community, National People’s Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today. He told Parliament that ignoring Muslim community’s belief would lead to communal unrests. “We accept that there should be a scientific approach with regard to victims of COVID-19. …

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi today asserted that the decision taken by the experts’ committee to cremate all COVID-19 related dead bodies will not be changed on any social, religious, political or personal grounds. She told Parliament that the decision of the expert committee is to cremate all COVID-19 related dead bodies and added that the government will firmly implement that …

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) has observed that burial of COVID-19 dead bodies could be permitted in Sri Lanka according to the currently available scientific evidence.  The Association said that a decision was made by the Director General of Health Services  to cremate all dead bodies of COVID-19 positive patients based on the limited scientific evidence that was available …

The 11-Member Expert Panel appointed by the Ministry of Health has revised its recommendation to include both cremation and burial of COVID-19 dead bodies in Sri Lanka.  The panel chaired by Prof. Jennifer Perera, Senior Professor in Microbiology in its recommendations submitted to the Ministry of Health this week said, “’While firmly standing by on the previous recommendation and guidelines on exclusive …